The street, for all: "In the street begins the great school of respect as an inseparable companion of freedom" by Miquel Roca Junyent

At different times and from different leaders, there has been the temptation to affirm that "the street is and always will be ours". And also the taxi drivers!

It is clear that history gives the street a major role: it has been, is and will be the scene of large and small demonstrations that express moods, demands, ambitions, hopes, frustrations and a long etcetera.

Freedom, whether you have it or what you want, in the manifestation has a fundamental tool of expression and the street is the scene of this will.

But the street belongs to everyone. Who claims it for a single collective makes an undue appropriation of the citizen's patrimony.

In fact, our world today suffers a strong division between ours and them. And each one affirms, with equal forcefulness, that the street is his. Well, no!

The street, like freedom, belongs to everyone. In the street begins the great school of respect, as an inseparable companion of freedom. We all have the right; we all share the stage of social coexistence. It is dangerous - as the story says - to make the street an exclusive space.

The street lives the political, social changes; the street reflects trends; Mark stages, to open or close them. But the street as a permanent strategy involves risks that weaken other rights, other values. And, above all, in a democratic State it weakens the role of institutions and mechanisms built to solve conflicts. When the street seeks to replace institutions, it is no longer simply a scenario for freedom of expression or for the expression of an ambition; then it becomes a will to institutional substitution that has much more scope.

In France, for example, it is clear that nobody - or practically no one - remembers the reason for the yellow vests. What is now lived is a willingness to occupy the street to discuss the power of democratic institutions. What is at stake is not any kind of tax on polluting fuels! What is discussed is, simply, who commands: the street or representative institutions of the Republic. This is what's at play.

The street must remain of all, for the good and the future of freedom. A stage for protest or for affirmation, or for indignation, or for enthusiasm, etcetera. But it can not become a form of occupation of power outside the guarantees of the democratic State. In the end, when this is the reason, the street is out of control and rapidly weakens the role of institutions.

In fact, this is the eternal dilemma: that of the limits of freedom when it collides with diverse and contradictory freedoms. Because of this and with this will the democratic state has been consolidated in the western world. This is Europe. And it was in response to the long totalitarian night that had reserved the street to "them alone".

We must accept that democratic institutions must be respected and strengthened. Sometimes it's hard to accept why success does not characterize its performance.

But the permanent appeal to the street is no guarantee either. In the end, as always, the street expresses ambitions and the institutions are the ones that have to respond.

And, thus, the street will continue being "of all".

https://www.lavanguardia.com/opinion/20190122/454245421950/la-calle-de-todos.html